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Abu Dhabi Real Estate Sees 125% Surge In FDI, Transactions Hit $26.19 Billion In 2024

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 27, 2025

The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Center (ADREC) has reported an impressive 125% year-on-year increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2024, with the sector attracting over AED7.86 billion ($2.14 billion). A total of 2,302 investors from 105 countries, including the US, UK, Kazakhstan, Russia, France, and China, contributed to this surge.

Engineer Rashed Al Omaira, acting director general of ADREC, highlighted the significance of this surge, stating, “The rise in FDI demonstrates Abu Dhabi’s resilience and adaptability in a changing global economy. It underscores the emirate’s investment-friendly environment and world-class infrastructure that ensures sustainable growth.”

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Real Estate Transactions Grow 24.2% In 2024

Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector saw a remarkable 24.2% rise in transactions last year. The market continues to thrive, positioning itself as an attractive destination for global investors. ADREC revealed that 28,249 transactions were completed in 2024, a 10.45% increase in total value, reaching AED96.2 billion ($26.19 billion). The sector included 16,735 sales transactions worth AED58.5 billion and 11,514 mortgage transactions valued at AED37.7 billion.

“The continuous growth of the real estate market reflects our strategy of ensuring stability,” said Al Omaira. “Abu Dhabi’s recognition among the top five global improvers in the 2024 Global Real Estate Transparency Index (GRETI) by JLL reflects our commitment to transparency and trust in the sector.”

38 New Projects Launched In 2024

In line with its growth strategy, Abu Dhabi introduced 38 new real estate projects for off-plan sales and completed 12 major developments in 2024. These projects were carefully selected for their diverse offerings, innovative designs, and affordability, catering to a broad range of investors.

ADREC remains committed to enhancing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global investment hub, with initiatives focused on driving sustainable development and improving the quality of life for residents.

High ROI Areas In Abu Dhabi’s Real Estate

Several areas in Abu Dhabi’s real estate market stood out in 2024 for offering strong returns on investment (ROI), according to Bayut’s Abu Dhabi Annual Property Market Reports.

Al Reef provided the highest average ROI for budget-friendly apartments at 8.64%.
Al Ghadeer followed closely, with an 8.41% ROI for affordable apartments.
Yas Island was the top choice for luxury apartments, offering a 7.07% ROI.
Al Raha Beach also proved popular for high-end apartments with a 6.09% ROI.
For budget-friendly villas, Hydra Village led with an 8.09% ROI.
Al Ghadeer again offered a solid return of 6.53% in the affordable villa category.
Yas Island emerged as the top destination for luxury villas, with an ROI of 6.28%, closely followed by Al Raha Gardens with a 6.23% ROI.

Popular Off-Plan Projects In 2024

Abu Dhabi’s off-plan real estate market continued to attract investors in both affordable and luxury segments.

Affordable Apartments: Top choices included the City of Lights on Al Reem Island, Al Reeman 1 in Al Shamkha, and the eco-friendly Royal Park in Masdar City.
Luxury Apartments: Yas Bay on Yas Island, Saadiyat Island’s Cultural District, and Al Maryah Vista on Al Maryah Island stood out for their luxury offerings.
Affordable Villas: Investors showed interest in Reem Hills on Al Reem Island, Bloom Living in Zayed City, and Al Reeman 2 in Al Shamkha.
Luxury Villas: The opulent Saadiyat Lagoons on Saadiyat Island and Yas Acres on Yas Island were the top picks for those seeking high-end villa options.

Abu Dhabi’s real estate market continues to thrive, offering numerous opportunities for investors across diverse segments. ADREC’s initiatives are designed to ensure long-term growth and sustainability for the sector.

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Cyprus Construction Trends: Permit Count Slips While Value and Scale Surge in 2025

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 11, 2025

The Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat) has reported a notable shift in the construction landscape for 2025. The latest figures reveal a modest 1.9% decline in building permits issued in March compared to the same month last year, signaling a nuanced trend in the nation’s developmental activities.

Permit Count Decline in March

In March 2025, authorities authorised 572 building permits—down from 583 in March 2024. The permits, which total a value of €361.5 million and cover 296,900 square metres of construction, underscore a cautious pace in permit approval despite ongoing projects. Notably, these permits are set to facilitate the construction of 1,480 dwelling units, reflecting an underlying demand in the housing sector.

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Q1 2025: Growth in Value, Construction Area, and Dwelling Units

While the number of permits in the first quarter (January to March) decreased by 15.8% from 1,876 to 1,580, more significant, economically relevant metrics saw robust growth. Total permit value surged by 21.7%, and the authorised construction area expanded by 15.6%. Additionally, the number of prospective dwelling units increased by 16.7% compared to the corresponding period last year. This divergence suggests that although fewer permits were issued, the scale and ambition of the approved projects have intensified.

New Regulatory Framework and the Ippodamos System

Since 1 July 2024, a pivotal transition has taken place in permit administration. The responsibility for issuing permits has moved from municipalities and district administration offices to the newly established local government organisations (EOAs). The integrated information system, Ippodamos, now oversees the licensing process, streamlining data collection on both residential and non-residential projects across urban and rural areas.

Comprehensive Data Collection for Enhanced Oversight

The Ippodamos system categorises construction projects using the EU Classification of Types of Construction (CC). This platform gathers extensive data on the number of permits authorised, project area and value, and the expected number of dwelling units. It covers a broad spectrum of construction activities—from new builds and civil engineering projects to plot divisions and road construction—while excluding renewals and building divisions. The thoroughness of this new regulatory structure promises greater operational transparency and more informed decision-making for policymakers and industry stakeholders.